Paola Amadei, head of delegation, European Union, was due to arrive in Belize to present her credentials to the Governor General of Belize and for an official visit, after taking office in Jamaica in March of this year. Amadeiís official visit will include the signing of a financing agreement with the government of Belize (GoB) on climate change.

As a result of the signing of the financing agreement on climate change, Belize will benefit from a climate change project entitled ĎEnhance adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change in national policiesí, which aims to develop a resilient water sector and enhance climate change governance through the establishment of a Climate Change Office. The European Union (EU) will contribute Euro 2.9 million (BZD7.25 million) and GoB will contribute Euro 0.3 million (BZD 0.75 million) to the project.

The project will support the strengthening of the National Climate Change Office, which is providing economic, social and environmental expertise to meet the governmentís objectives.

The proposed action also foresees to address capacity development of water governance mechanisms, such as the National Integrated Water Resources Authority, to facilitate coordination among water resource managers and users as well as provide the legal basis for responsible management of the countryís water resource base.

Finally, physical interventions are foreseen in the form of pilot projects which should result in better adaptation to and/or better mitigation of the negative effects of droughts, flooding, soil erosion (also in coastal areas) and salinization.

The project will be implemented by UNDP under a contribution agreement and targets directly climate change governance structures, positioning the government of Belize to effectively plan for and manage the effects of climate change on Belizeís development.

The primary target group includes GoB planners, decision makers and functionaries with responsibility for climate change management. Individual communities are set to directly benefit through project adaptation pilots.

Changing the Climate On Climate Change Readiness

Paola Amadei, the Head of Delegation of the European Union came to Belize for an official visit - which included the signing of a financing agreement with the Government on climate change.

The project is called "Enhance adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change in national policies." The goal is to create a resilient water sector and enhance climate change readiness by establishing a climate change office.

The European Union will contribute EU 2.9 million - that's BZD 7.25 million - and GOB will contribute BZD $750,000, totaling 8 million to enhancing climate change.

It's an important project, and at the signing of the financial agreement Ambassador Amadei explained how much Belize will benefit.

Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister"The project is for the purpose of like the CEO had mention - to strengthen capacity in the climate change section and especially this project will be having activities to do with the water management in our country."

Paola Amadei, Head of Delegation of the European Union"As we speak negotiations are going in New York for the Rio Plus 20 Conference. The EU has been active together in this particular file. There is a common understanding and commonality of views and objectives between the EU and the Caribbean."

"There are all these reasons that make this act very important for the EU, for Belize. The new joint EU/Caribbean strategy is fore coming after a long preparation will have a longer main priority. The protection on the environment and the action for mitigation and adaptation towards climate change - so all these reasons the project is indeed very important. It's part of the global climate change initiative."

The project will be implemented by the UNDP under a contribution agreement, and it will allow the Government of Belize to prepare for and manage the effects of climate change on Belize's development.